What to bring and downloads
Everything you need before your medical, in one place.
Everyone brings
- Photo driving licence, or a passport if your licence has no photo.
- Your printed form, with your parts filled in: the DVLA D4 for any licence that needs one, or your council's taxi medical form.
- Your distance glasses, if you wear them for driving. Contact lens wearers: come with your lenses out and bring them with you.
- All your medicines in their boxes, or a list of every medicine with the dose. A photo of your repeat prescription is fine.
- Paperwork for any major health condition: hospital or specialist letters, with dates.
- Taxi drivers: your GP medical summary or full record if your council asks for it. Most councils do. Check with your council's licensing team before you come.
What is a D4 medical?
The DVLA medical for a lorry, bus, minibus or other Group 2 licence. You need one when you first apply, at age 45, then every 5 years until 65, and every year after that. The DVLA can also ask for one at other times.
| What's checked | Your eyesight (letter chart), blood pressure and medical history. The doctor confirms whether you meet the DVLA's Group 2 standard. |
|---|---|
| Who can do it | Any GMC-registered doctor. It doesn't have to be your own GP. |
| How long it takes | About 10 minutes. |
| How long it lasts | The signed form is valid for 4 months. Send it to the DVLA with your licence application within that time. |
| What to bring | Photo ID, distance glasses or contact lenses, your medicines or a list, and your printed D4 with your parts filled in. |
| Taxi medicals are different | A taxi medical uses your council's own form, and your council decides. A D4 goes to the DVLA, and the DVLA decides. |
Common questions
What if the doctor can't sign my form?
The doctor explains why. Some findings mean you must stop driving lorries or buses and tell the DVLA straight away; others just need more evidence, such as a specialist letter. If paperwork was missing, you can rebook once free within 30 days.
Do you have D4 forms at the clinic?
We keep a few spares, but please print your own and fill in your parts first. It saves time on the day.
Can an optician do the eyesight part?
Yes. An optician or optometrist can fill in the eyesight section before you come.
D4 medical (any licence that needs a D4)
Fill in your parts before you come
- Download and print the D4. Print it single-sided on A4. Don't fill in anything in the doctor's sections.
- Page 1: the grey boxes on the left. Your full name, date of birth, address, postcode and contact details.
- Inside pages: the grey strip at the bottom. Your full name and date of birth on each page. Nothing else.
- Last page: your declaration. Fill in your details and tick the consent boxes. Sign and date it at the appointment, when the doctor has finished.
A D4 is valid for 4 months from the date of the examination.
Your eye test
- Bring your distance glasses, if you wear them for driving.
- Contact lenses: come with them out. We check your eyes without them first, then ask you to put them in.
- If you'd rather, an optician can fill in the eyesight section of the D4 before you come. Bring it with you.
Taxi and private hire medical
Check with your council first
Each council sets its own rules. Most want your GP medical summary or full record, and some only accept certain doctors. Call or email your council's licensing team before you book, and ask your GP surgery for your records early: some take two weeks.
Health conditions
Tick anything that applies to you to build your checklist.
Condition guides
- Blood pressure
- Heart attack, stent, bypass or angina
- Heart rhythm, pacemaker, ICD, heart failure or valves
- Stroke or mini-stroke (TIA)
- Blackouts, fainting, fits and seizures
- Sleep apnoea and daytime sleepiness
- Diabetes treated with insulin
- Diabetes treated with tablets or non-insulin injections
- Eye conditions
Got a major health diagnosis that isn't listed? Check the DVLA's health conditions and driving page, and bring your hospital or specialist letters.